Steamboat rudder



Jan. 8, 1929. 1,698,086

L. W. DOAK STEAMBOAT RUDDER Filed Feb. 5, '1927 INVENTOR.

BY ATTO NEY Patented Jan. 8, 1929.

LEONARD W. IDOAK, 0F DRAVOSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

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Application filed February means for lubricating the rudder suspension elements; and which-includes heel blocks for protecting the rudders from damage when passing through a lock.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a device of the type stated, which is simple in its construction and arrangement,

strong, durable and efiicient in its use, and comparatively inexpensive tomanutacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a series of rudders constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged side .elevational view of the inner portion of the clamp with the rudder plate broken away.

Figure 4 is an elevational view of the inner side of the outer portion of the clamp.

Figure 5 is a sectional View on line VV, Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the rudder suspension element partly in section.

Referring in detail to the drawing 1, 2 and 3 respectively denote units of a series of rudders. The rudders 1, 2 and 3 are disposed parallel with respect to each other, and are adapted for shiftable connection with a steam boat by respective suspension elements 4.

Each of the rudders 1, 2 and 3 consists of a pair of suitably shaped metal rudder plates 5 and 6 and of a similarly shaped wood filler 7 disposed therebet-ween. The rudder plates 5 and 6 and the tiller 7 of each of the rudders 1,

3, 1927. Serial No. 185,540.

2and 3 are secured together by a plurality ofbolts 8, or in any other suitable manner. Each of the rudder plates 5 and 6 is provided with the usual flange or fin 9, which is disposed outwardly al'ong'the entire length of the lower end of the rudders 1, '2 and 3, and v at right angles relatively to respective rudder plates 5 and 6. i v

The rudder 2 is disposed intermediate of andspaced from the outside rudders 1 and 3 but is pivotally connected with the latter by respective connecting bars 10 and 11', in the manner to be described. 1

The plate 5 of the rudder 1, the plate ,6 of the rudder-3and'both theplates 5. and6 of the rudder 2, are provided with a clamp 12. Each of clamps 12 is disposed laterally at the upper end or" respective rudder plates, and all of the clamps 12 are horizontally aligned relatively to each other when the rudders 1, 2 and 3 are in the normal position.

Each of the clamps 12 consists of an inner clamp port-ion 13, and a. oomplemental outer bearing block portion714. The inner clamp portions 13 are fixedly welded to respective rudder plates, while the outer clamp portions 14 are de'tachably secured to the associated-in ner clamp portions 13, by means of a plurality of bolts 15. The latter extend through registering apertures which are provided therefor in the inner and outer clamp portions 13, 14 and respectively indicated at 16 and 17.

The inner clamp portion 13 is formed with V a vertically disposed semi-cylindrical groove 18 having a bottom 19, and outer clamp portion 14 is formed with a registering corresponding semi-cylindrical groove 20 having a bottom 21. When the outer clamp portion 14 is bolted to the associated inner clamp portion 13, by the bolts 15, the combination of the respective semi-cylindrical grooves 1 8 and 20 torms a cylindrical seat for the reception of the pivoting pin 22. The lower end of the-latterrestson the bottoms 19' and 21'of respective grooves 18 and 20, and is.

int

tained in any suitable manner, preferably by means of pins 28, which extend transversely through the apertures 24 formed adjacent to the upper ends of the pivot pins 22.

r In the usual construction the pivoting pins for the connecting bars 10 and 11, are welded directly tothe rudders, and are replaced with the greatest diificulty. With my improved removable pins 22, a broken or worn pin may a be readily replaced or adjusted by the ma nipulation of the bolts 15 in the clamps 12.

During the steering operation the connecting bars 10 and 11 will cause the rudders 1, 2 and 8'to shift in unison, as required, while maintaining the parallel disposition of the latter, at all times. I

A heel block 25, provided with'rounded ends, is carried by the rudder plate 5 of the rudder 1, and by the rudder plate 6 of the rudder 3. The heel blocks are disposed on the rear ends of thefins 9, of respective plates 5 and 6, and are provided for the purpose of preventing the fins 9 from cutting into and damaging the side walls of locks while pass- 7 ing therethrough, or for preventing injury to the rudders themselves from such cause,

or from engagement with the hinges of the lock gates as not infrequently happens.

The suspension elements 4, employed in connection with myimproved rudders, are

preferably of the construction disclosed in my co-pending United States patent application, bearing filing date the 12th day of April, 1926 and Serial Number 101,388, with the exception of the tubular stem 26 which is provided with a closed flattened lower end '27, which is welded between the rudder plates 5 and 6. The stem 26 is furtherprovided wlth a plurality of threaded apertures 28, adapted for the reception of closure'plugs (not shown). This construction of the tubular stem 26 permits of its use as a receptacle for liquid lubricants which mixes'with the grease lubricant disposed between stem 26 and its housing 29 to provide greater lubrieating eificiency. The use of the plugs for the apertures 28 provides for the regulation of the liquid lubricant.

What I claim is:

-In a steamboat rudder of the character described comprising aplurality of rudder members including a connecting rod therefor, a clamp for each member consisting of an inner clamp portion and an outer clamp portion, said inner clamp portion being permanently fixed to the rudder member, a pivoting pin for the connectingrod, said inner and outer clamp portions being formed with registering semi-cylindrical grooves-for the reception of said pivoting pin, and a plurality of bolts securing said outer clampportion to said inner clamp portion to detachably clamp said pivoting pin in said grooves between said inner and outer clamp portions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LEONARD W. DOAK. 

